Which law ensures access to education for children with disabilities?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that specifically ensures access to education for children with disabilities. This legislation mandates that public schools provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. This includes access to special education services and accommodations tailored to the individual needs of the child. IDEA also emphasizes the importance of individualized education programs (IEPs), which are designed to outline specific educational goals and services for students with disabilities, ensuring that they have the necessary support to succeed academically.

In contrast, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides broader protections against discrimination for individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment and public accommodations, but it does not specifically focus on educational access. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) deals with the privacy of student education records rather than ensuring educational access. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) aimed to improve educational standards and accountability but did not specifically ensure access for children with disabilities in the way that IDEA does.